I Want To Get My CDL A. Signed Up For Permit Class, But I Am Intimidated

I am 28 years old and I threw my back out working at a warehouse this winter. I am sick of living in poverty and I am dying to make a living wage. Truck driving is something I have been considering for a while, and I am now serious about it. I got the manual last year but decided I would need classes to really get it. When I read it, I see things like emergency air lines, and I have no idea what they would even look like, so it's tough to learn by just reading the words. I would rather have an instructor explain these things and show me in person.

I signed up for a local driving school CDL B package. I have a study class on June 9th. I initially considered local delivery jobs, but now I think I may want to go full on tractor trailer. I don't mind being away from home for long periods of time as I have no girlfriend or kids.

The problem is, I am intimidated by certain things. Driving a tractor trailer through heavy traffic just sounds tough. Learning all of these procedures I haven't even heard of, taking tests for the endorsements that each consist of 50+ questions. I read forums here written by people who went off to be trained for weeks by a company, and I think I might want to do that.

It's worth mentioning that while I am intimidated by learning to drive a 25,000 pound vehicle, I am a very good driver and have had no accidents in the 13 years I have had my license.

Does anyone have any advice for me? Should I apply for an on the job training if I pass my permit test? I am sure a lot of others went into this career and didn't know anything at first.

That is the purpose of CDL School, whether it be through a company or a local private school you learn a lot there. When I was a fire instructor I use to tell the Cadets we don't train you how to be firefighters in the academy...we teach you how to not get dead, you learn how to be a firefighter by doing it day in and day out and always looking for a way to learn and improve. The day you learn it all or think you know it all, bring my your gear and move on. Same thing with Truck driving. They don't teach you how to be a truck driver in school..they teach you how NOT to get dead, and be some what safe, you LEARN how to be a truck driver through the REST of your career, Always look for ways to learn or teach.

The Best thing an OLD FIREFIGHTER can teach NEW firefighter....IS HOW TO BE AN OLD FIREFIGTHER

I am 28 years old and I threw my back out working at a warehouse this winter. I am sick of living in poverty and I am dying to make a living wage. Truck driving is something I have been considering for a while, and I am now serious about it. I got the manual last year but decided I would need classes to really get it. When I read it, I see things like emergency air lines, and I have no idea what they would even look like, so it's tough to learn by just reading the words. I would rather have an instructor explain these things and show me in person.

I signed up for a local driving school CDL B package. I have a study class on June 9th. I initially considered local delivery jobs, but now I think I may want to go full on tractor trailer. I don't mind being away from home for long periods of time as I have no girlfriend or kids.

The problem is, I am intimidated by certain things. Driving a tractor trailer through heavy traffic just sounds tough. Learning all of these procedures I haven't even heard of, taking tests for the endorsements that each consist of 50+ questions. I read forums here written by people who went off to be trained for weeks by a company, and I think I might want to do that.

It's worth mentioning that while I am intimidated by learning to drive a 25,000 pound vehicle, I am a very good driver and have had no accidents in the 13 years I have had my license.

Does anyone have any advice for me? Should I apply for an on the job training if I pass my permit test? I am sure a lot of others went into this career and didn't know anything at first.